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For New Employees: Onboarding Resources

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We are thrilled that you made the decision to join Virginia Tech. We understand that the first days, weeks, and months of employment are filled with excitement, a wealth of information, and many questions. Your supervisor and Human Resources are here to provide you with the help and support needed for success in your new role. This site contains information that is helpful as you begin your new role with Virginia Tech. Please feel free to refer back to this page as you have questions.

Welcome to Virginia Tech. We are so glad you will be joining us. To assist in your transition, here are some resources that might help. 

Below are some additional resources that you may find valuable in making connections and/or engaging in the community.

If you are an emergency hire or adjunct faculty, you will receive onboarding tasks from your hiring department. 

If you are newly hired staff, faculty, and non-student wage, you will receive a series of email messages through the PageUp onboarding portal about important tasks to complete before you start your new role. Please check in with your manager or onboarding coordinator if you have any questions about those tasks. Because we want your onboarding to be successful, you will continue to receive messages with reminders, tasks, and new information through your first year. We encourage you to read this information and ask questions as needed. 

From comprehensive insurance plans to tuition assistance, Virginia Tech offers employees a robust benefits program. This full range of benefits, services, and discounts is an integral part of the university's total compensation package and just one of the many things that make Virginia Tech a great place to work. 

Make sure you are aware of your deadlines for optional benefits, health insurance, retirement, and leave

Virginia Tech has a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion and we hope you will take some time to become familiar with the resources/information listed below:

In addition to the resources above, there are also training opportunities for you. For example, you can earn diversity and inclusion credentials through digital badge pathways, become SafeZone certified, or take inclusive pedagogy courses.  

Your parking options depend on your work location.  Information about parking options for the Blacksburg campus and certain Greater Washington D.C., metro area locations are below. For other work locations, please contact your hiring manager.

Blacksburg

  • All new employees located on the Blacksburg campus receive a 30-day free parking permit, which you can obtain either through your onboarding portal or on your hire date by visiting Parking Services in person.  
  • Visit the page above to review parking permit options and to purchase a parking permit.
  • For your convenience, view a map of available campus parking.
  • A variety of alternative transportation options are available. Please contact the Alternative Transportation Department at gettingaround@vt.edu if you have questions. 

Greater Washington D.C., metro area

  • Because of the excellent public transit options in the Greater Washington D.C., metro area, Virginia Tech offers the Commonwealth Commuter Choice program:
    • Full-time Virginia Tech employees (faculty and staff) who commute to certain identified Northern Virginia counties and cities can receive a monthly benefit in free SmarTrip credit to use on public transit or vanpool to get to work. This benefit is tax-free and you are eligible if you commute to work at least one day a month using either public transit bus, commuter trains, subways or van pools, and your office is located in the counties of: Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, Spotsylvania, and Stafford or the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Fredericksburg, Manassas, and Manassas Park.
    • Everything you need to know about the Commonwealth Commuter Choice program is available on the program's website.
  • If you plan to drive and park onsite, please contact your hiring manager regarding your specific parking options, as it varies by work location.

Required training for all new hires

New employees have required training that they must complete within the first 90 days of their employment with Virginia Tech. Following is more information on the training:

All employees are required to complete the following compliance courses. Additional courses may be required based on a position’s responsibilities. 

 The following courses must be completed once as a new hire:

  • State of Virginia: Civilian Response for Active Shooter Events: This course is designed to improve the safety and survivability of victims of active attacks and mass shooting events. This must be completed within 90 days of hire.
  • State of Virginia: The Road to Cultural Competence: This course is provided to assist in engaging positively with a world that is complex and diverse and fostering an inclusive workplace. This must be completed within 90 days of hire.

 Courses that must be completed as a new hire and then yearly or every two years:

  • State of Virginia: Employee Safety and Disaster Awareness: This course is designed to improve employee preparedness for on-the-job safety and other potential hazards. This is an annual requirement. This must be completed within 90 days of hire.
  • Compliance: Title IX / Policy 1025 / VAWA: This course discusses University Policies 1025 and 1026 and focuses on the prevention of discrimination, harassment, and gender-based and/or sexual violence. This course also covers applicable state and federal civil rights laws. This is a biannual requirement. This must be completed within 90 days of hire.

All courses are available in PageUp  Learning Management System (LMS)  and is accessible using your PID and password. All employees must complete any required training during their normal working day.

Training by role

Additional training by role is provided for select positions. These do not take the place of any departmental training, but rather, serve as a resource for the system accesses, trainings, and guides that are available for your use.

PageUp Learning Management System (LMS)

The PageUp Learning Management System (LMS) has a number of programs/training available and it is accessible using your PID and password.  Some trainings are on broad topics applicable to all employees, while others are specific to roles (like Banner training). We encourage you to search for opportunities that best meet your needs/interests. Below is a small sample of the trainings available:

  •  “Creating a Career Plan”
  •  “Setting Goals to Improve Your Career”
  • “How to Organize Your Time and Your Life”
  •  “Impromptu Speaking”
  •  “How to Learn New Skills”

Gallup® CliftonStrengths

Virginia Tech also offers the Gallup® CliftonStrengths assessment free to all faculty, staff, and students. The online assessment is a way to discover what you naturally do best, learn how to develop your greatest talents into strengths, and use your personalized results to maximize your potential. To access the free assessment, you will need to use your VT username (PID) and password. Please note that the landing page for the assessment uses student-centered language but all VT community members do have access!

More development opportunities

Employees may take advantage of these other development opportunities and resources at Virginia Tech. 

  • Sign up for VT Alerts, Virginia Tech's emergency notification system. When a situation arises in which the university determines that immediate action is required on the part of students, employees, and others, a VT Alert is issued to the impacted region(s). Go to the page above to sign up then select “Students and employees” to complete your registration.
  • All employees with Virginia Tech email addresses are automatically registered to receive the VTx Daily email soon after their hire date. The newsletter is published by e-mail, Monday – Friday when the university is open and is managed by the VTx News team. Electronic delivery of information via e-mail is the primary vehicle for internal communications at Virginia Tech. Review Policy 12200: Virginia Tech News Daily E-mail Policy for more information. 
  • When you set up your e-mail signature, make sure to follow Virginia Tech guidance on formatting. If you need instructions on how to create an e-mail signature, you can find them on the Microsoft support page.
  •  If you are in a role where you will participate in meetings via Zoom, consider downloading some of the Virginia Tech Zoom backgrounds. This is a fun way to show your Hokie spirit.

Virginia Tech offers a variety of services and benefits to encourage well-being. Please take some time to become familiar with them:  

If you are working on the Blacksburg campus, consider taking one of your breaks outside! Virginia Tech has a beautiful campus and a short walk can be invigorating. Visit the campus highlights page to get ideas on where to walk/visit. If you are not on the main campus, make note of the attractions when you next visit Blacksburg!